Lean On Me | Shane X OC | Stardew Valley

Chapter Three

A Week Later.

Me and Nixie worked our asses off to make enough money for our first chicken coop and we were just a thousand dollars away from my own chicken house!

I decided that Saturday to walk into Marnie's shop to see how much the chickens were. As soon as it was opened, I opened up the door and met her friendly face.

"Hi!" I waved.

"Good morning, Bambi! How are the crops going?" Marnie asked. I watched Jas zoom through the room then come to a complete stop behind the desk, her large eyes peering at me.

"Going great. Nixie got a lot of them watered and ready for this hot day. We haven't had rain in a couple days." I sighed, growing bored of the conversation.

Marnie gave a laugh and rested her hand on Jas' head, "I know what you mean. Shane has been hoping for a storm so he can call into work."

I smiled then cleared my throat, "how's Shane doing?" I asked.

Marnie gave me a somewhat of a surprised look. "He's doing great. He's actually in the kitchen right now. SHANE!"

The sudden yell made me flinch. I looked at Jas who had a shy smile and I waved at her. She gave me an even bigger shy smile and tucked her face in her aunt's skirt.

"What?" Shane peeked from around the corner and then saw me and instantly he grew annoyed. I snorted at his look and furrowed my eyebrows.

"Bambi was just wondering how you were doing." Marnie motioned to me.

I gave a weak smile and then turned back to the desk. "Good morning, Shane." I said.

"Morning." Was all I got before he ducked back into the kitchen.

I sighed silently and then flipped through the catalog pages.

"Oh don't worry, Shane just gets a little pouty some mornings. So what are you looking for?" Marnie asks, turning her attention on me.

"Hm.. some chickens! I love chickens. Not as much as I love ducks but chickens are what I want to start out with." I glanced at her. Yikes. 800 coins for each chicken.

Marnie could see the pain in my face after looking at the price. "You know, if you ever wanted to make some extra money you could visit the mines."

"Mines?" I leaned forward. Jas' eyes brightened up.

"There's monsters in there...." Jas whispered to me then blushed when I looked at her.

"They have some ore in there you could sell. I'm sure you have the equipment needed." Marnie gave me a patient smile and added, "and if not, Marlon could give you one. He's usually at the mines anyways!"

I hopped excitedly. "Thanks Marnie! I appreciate it!" I started out the door and waved. "Bye guys. Bye Shane." I hoped he heard but still left anyways.

***

The opening to the mine intimated me a little bit but I was determined to make money for the chickens. I gulped and then took a few steps in. It was a dark cave that smelled of dirt and a weird musty smell. I stepped further in and saw a man with grey hair, a cape, and a mustache leaning over a hole with a ladder.

"Heya!" I spoke loudly, my voice echoing throughout the cave.

"Oh?" The man got up and looked at me, his eyes cold.

"What's up?"

"You comin' here in these mines?"

I thought for a moment and then nodded. He took out something hooked to his waist and handed it to me.

"You'll need this. I'm assumin' you're the new kid that moved in. I'm Marlon." He introduced himself. I looked at him with big eyes then unsheathed the weapon and gasped. It was dull and rusty but still cool.

"Thanks! I'm Bambi." I gave him a side glance and swung the sword slightly.

"You'll need more gear then that to get down the mines. But good luck- and be careful. There's creatures in there." Marlon nodded at the entrance leading deeper into the mines and with that, walked away.

"Cool." I murmured to myself with a grin and swung the sword a few more times, this time harder. I laughed and decided to go down anyways, even if I don't have the necessary equipment.

It felt oddly eerie down there and cold but I continued to go through the mines. Then- I saw it. A blob of slime with two beady eyes staring at me. It shivered and squeaked like a rat.

"Ew!" I pointed my sword up in fear and watched it. I felt my heart beating as if this thing would eat me alive. After it didn't move for a moment, I figured it was harmless. "Are you just scared?" I questioned aloud and put the sword down slightly.

I walked towards it and bent down, about to pick it up, when it lunged forward.

The ooze that splattered on me, seemed to burn and bite at my olive skin. "Oww!" I screamed, kicking the thing away. It fell back but quickly regained whatever balance it used and started shaking again as if it was gonna pounce a second time.
I fell on my butt and rushed over to the sword I dropped and pointed it at the creature then scrambled to get up. The slime bounced again, this time much faster. I yanked back and swung the sword as hard as I could and felt the blade pierce into the slime's soft gel. The creature squealed and then almost disintegrated into a puddle of wet goo, leaving behind something that was oval and sticky.

"Is this some slime residue?" I asked myself. I shrugged and put it in my pocket just because.

I kept going and found at the edge of the mine, there was a ladder going deeper in. I chewed on my bottom lip and decided I'd better get back to see Nixie and explain to her about my new 'job'. On my way back home, I noticed the sun was still high in the sky and I had plenty of time to do things.

On my way down, I passed the saloon and watched Pam and Shane go in.

"Oh hey again, Shane." I waved to him but got practically shoved out of the way as he brushed past to open the door to the saloon. I grunted and fell back but Pam caught my arm and hoisted me back up so I could regain my balance. "What's his issue?!" I finally exploded when the door shut.

"He's like that, kiddo. A rough man. Not sure why- but he's probably gonna end up shitfaced tonight!" Pam slapped my back hard, earning another grunt from me.

"Well he's a jerk." I mumbled. Pam stopped at the saloon door and gave me a look.

"He may be. But there could be more going on in his head. Who knows?" She shrugged and then went inside, shutting the door. I thought about her words for a moment and slowly started my way back home, fiddling with the sticky oval goo in my pocket.

Maybe Shane just needs a friend?